2012 Arizona Diamondbacks Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Arizona Diamondbacks were the surprise team of the 2011 season. No one expected Arizona to compete in the NL West after finishing dead last in the division with a 65-97 record, but a bunch of breakout seasons bolted the Diamondbacks to a 94-68 finish. The team appears to be even stronger in 2012. Arizona was able to keep their nucleus together, while also adding starter Trevor Cahill and outfield Jason Kubel. Let’s take a look at the Diamondbacks projected starting starting lineup, starting rotation, and closer situation for the upcoming season.
Projected Lineup
Miguel Montero (Catcher) -Montero bounced back from an injury plagued 2010 season with a monster campaign. The 28-year-old hit .282 with 18 home runs and 86 RBI in 140 games behind the plate. Has the potential to reach the 20 home run and 100 RBI mark this season.
Paul Goldschmidt (First Base) – The Diamondbacks are excited to see what Goldschmidt can do in a full season after hitting .250 with eight home runs and 26 RBI in just 49 games after getting called up in August. Goldschmidt has the power to hit 30+ home runs at the big league level, but it’s hard telling when the 24-year-old will put it all together.
Aaron Hill (Second Base) – Hill really gave the Diamondbacks a spark on both sides of the ball after coming over from the Blue Jays in a midseason trade. After hitting just .225 in 104 games with Toronto, Hill posted a .315 average in 33 games with Arizona. Hill hit just eight homers between the two clubs, which was a bit of a surprise considering he hit 62 home runs the previous two seasons.
Stephen Drew (Shortstop) – Drew suffered a fractured right ankle that ended his 2011 season after just 86 games. He wasn’t exactly having a great year before the injury. In those 86 games, he hit only .252 with five home runs.
Ryan Roberts (Third Base) – While Roberts hit just .249 in 2011, his 19 home runs, 65 RBI, and 18 stolen bases were all career best. It’s hard to imagine another big improvement in 2012, but he is definitely someone worth keeping an eye on.
Jason Kubel (Left Field) – Arizona is hoping that Kubel can come over from Minnesota and produce similar numbers to his 2008 season, where he hit .300 with 28 home runs and 103 RBI. His 2011 season was limited by an ankle injury, but he still managed to hit .273 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI in 99 games.
Chris Young (Center Field) – Young was one of the few Diamondbacks who had a dip in production last year. It doesn’t appear he will ever hit for a high average, just a .240 career hitter, but his power numbers dropped from 27 homers and 91 RBI in 2010 to 21 and 71 in the same amount of games in 2011.
Justin Upton (Right Field) -Upton has emerged as the best hitter on the team and solidified himself as one of the best young talents in the league. He hit .289 with a career-high 31 home runs, 88 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. At just 24-years of age, there is plenty of reason to believe Upton’s best years are still to come.
Projected Rotation
Ian Kennedy (RHP) -Kennedy took an enormous step in the right direction last year. After going just 9-10 with a 3.80 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 2010, Kennedy finished fourth in the NL Cy Young voting with a 21-4 record behind a dominant 2.88 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. It will be hard to match last year’s numbers, but he should remain one of the elite starters in the National League.
Daniel Hudson (RHP) -Hudson’s 2011 season was a bit overshadowed by Kennedy. The 24-year-old went 16-12 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in his first season as a full-time starter. If he can back it up in 2012, Arizona will have a pretty legit top of the rotation.
Trevor Cahill (RHP) – Cahill gives the Diamondbacks a steady arm in the middle of the rotation, especially if he can bounce back from a rough 2011. Cahill went 18-8 with a 2.97 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 30 starts with Oakland in 2010, but ended up just 10-12 with a 4.16 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 34 starts last year.
Joe Saunders (LHP) – Saunders finished 2011 with a losing record at 12-13, but his 3.69 ERA and 1.31 WHIP indicate he pitched better than his record indicates. It was his best season as a starter since going 17-7 with a 3.41 ERA in 31 starts with the Angels in 2008.
Josh Collmenter (RHP) – Collmenter is a pretty nice option for the bottom of the rotation. In his first big league season, Collmenter went 10-10 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 24 starts. However, I think his 4.00 ERA in the minors puts him at risk for a decline in 2012.
Projected Closer
J.J. Putz (RHP) - The Diamondbacks had to be a bit shocked with how well Putz in his first season with Arizona. The veteran went out and converted 45 of 49 save opportunities with a 2.17 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. Pretty impressive when you consider he missed a month with right shoulder tendinitis.
| 2012 Arizona Diamondbacks Odds | |
| World Series | +2800 |
| NL Pennant | +1400 |
| NL West | +200 |
| Total Regular Season Wins | O86.5 (-115) |
| U86.5 (-115) |
Over/Under Total Home Runs in the 2012 Regular Season
Justin Upton – 29.5
Chris Young – 22.5
Jason Kubel – 20.5
Aaron Hill – 17.5
Over/Under Total Wins in the 2012 Regular Season
Ian Kennedy – 14.5
Daniel Hudson – 13.5
Trevor Cahill – 12.5
Over/Under Total Saves in the 2012 Regular Season
J.J. Putz – 35.5
MLB Predictions by Team
Got something to say?
- Betting Basics
- Betting MLB Totals
- Big Favorites
- Dime Lines
- Guide to Betting
- First 5 Innings
- First Inning Bets
- How to Bet
- Interleague Play
- Key Numbers for Totals
- Matchups
- Money Lines Explained
- Parlay Returns
- Overnight Lines
- Rules
- Run Lines Explained
- Standings
- Sportsbooks
- Trends
- Underdog Betting Systems
- Handicapping
- Common Mistakes
- Listed Pitchers
- Hedging Run Line Bets
- Monitoring Umpires
- Revenge Systems
- Reverse Line Moves
- Spring Training
- Schedule
- Tips on Totals
- Preparing for Season
- Top Handicappers